[motorcycle.com] - 2014 EICMA: 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Preview

[Ninjette Newsbot]

After one of the lengthiest teaser campaigns in recent memory, Kawasaki has revealed the Ninja H2, the street-legal version of its track-only Ninja H2R. The $25,000 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 will be produced in small numbers with dealers accepting deposits up until Dec. 19 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Discuss this at our Kawasaki Ninja H2 Forum.

The Ninja H2 uses a similar supercharged 998cc engine as the H2R but with different camshafts, gaskets and clutch. Kawasaki also modified intake and exhaust system to meet noise and emission requirements for street homologation. The supercharger is driven by a planetary gear train connected to the crankshaft using technology from Kawasaki’s aerospace divison. The impeller spins at up to approximately 130,000 rpm while the engine speed tops out more sedately at about 14,000 rpm.



Kawasaki designed the engine to accommodate the higher air pressure of the supercharger, claiming the engine can handle from 1.5 to 2 times the stresses typically met by naturally-aspirated 1000cc engines. The pistons are cast instead of forged to better handle the higher temperatures of the supercharged engine. The intake valves are stainless steel while the exhaust valves are a more heat-resistant alloy called Inconel friction-welded to steel valve stems.

To keep the engine cool, Kawasaki uses a combination of liquid and oil cooling. The radiator is about the same size as those on conventional liter-class sportbikes but it flows 1.5 times more air. This allowed Kawasaki to increase its effectiveness without increasing its size. Oil is used to both cool and lubricate the supercharger and transmission. Jets spray oil on the supercharger’s chain where it meets both the upper and lower sprockets, while an oil passage is used on the supercharger’s lower gear. An additional two air jets cool each cylinder while the transmission also uses oil jets. To meet these needs, the Ninja H2 holds 1.3 gallons of oil, about 35% more than typical naturally-aspirated engines.



Kawasaki equipped the H2 with a three-mode traction control system tuned for the track, the street or wet road conditions. Each mode has an additional three levels for a total of nine traction control settings (or 10, if you include “off”.) For even wetter conditions, the H2 has a Rain mode which increases traction control intervention while reducing engine output by 50% and easing throttle response.

Other technological features include a quickshifter, a three-mode launch control, a reduced engine braking mode and the Kawasaki Intelligent Anti-lock Brake System (KIBS). Based on the system used on the ZX-10R,* KIBS suppresses rear lift, reduces kickback and accounts for back torque.

The engine is mounted in a similar trellis frame as the H2R, designed to balance stiffness and flexibility while allowing engine heat to dissipate.



The 43mm KYB Air-Oil Separate II cartridge fork offers adjustable spring preload and rebound and compression damping with 4.7 inches of travel. KYB also supplies the fully-adjustable rear shock which mounts to a revised Uni-Trak linkage system to the single-sided swingarm.

The front wheel is equipped with a pair of 330mm semi-floating Brembo brake discs. The discs are 5.5 mm thick and are grooved to increase surface area for better cooling. Brembo also supplies the radial-mount cast aluminum monobloc calipers with 30mm pistons. A two-piston caliper stops the 250mm rear brake disc.



The Ninja H2 lacks the H2R’s wings but keeps the chin spoiler for added downforce. The mirrors stick out pretty far to either side and the mounts use an airfoil-shaped cross section with Gurney flaps for more downforce.

Other features include a full LED lighting system, Öhlins electronic steering damper and a special Mirror Coat Black paint that appears black in shadows but is highly reflective in the light.



2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SpecificationsEngineLiquid-cooled, 4-stroke in-line fourDisplacement998ccBore x Stroke76 x 55mmCompression Ratio8.5:1Fuel SystemFuel injection: 50mm x 4 with dual injectionIntake SystemKawasaki superchargerCooling SystemWater-cooledLubricationForced lubrication, wet sump with oil coolerIgnitionDigitalTransmission6-speed, return, dog-ringFinal DriveChainFrame TypeTrellis, high-tensile steel, with swingarm mounting plateRake/Trail24.4? / 4″Fuel Capacity4.5 gallonsFront Suspension / Wheel Travel43mm inverted fork with rebound and compression damping, spring preload adjustability and top-out springs / 4.7Rear Suspension / Wheel TravelNew Uni-Trakwith gas-charged shock, piggyback reservoir, dual-range (high/low-speed) compression damping, rebound damping and preload adjustability, and top-out spring / 5.3″Front Tire Size120/70 ZR17 M/C (58W)Rear Tire Size200/55 ZR17 M/C (78W)Front BrakesDual radial-mount, opposed 4-piston calipers, dual semi-floating 330mm discsRear BrakesOpposed 2-piston calipers, single 250mm discOverall Length82″

Overall Width30.3″Overall Height44.3Overall Height Windscreen Lowered/RaisedN/AGround Clearance5.1″Seat Height32.5″Curb Weight**524.7 lbWheelbase57.3Color ChoicesMirror Coated BlackMSRP$25,000WarrantyTBDKawasaki Protection Plus (optional)TBDWholesale DistributorKawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
9950 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, California 92618
949-770-0400 www.kawasaki.comFollow the rest of our 2014 EICMA Show coverage for more information on new 2015 motorcycle announcements.

2014 EICMA: 2015 Kawasaki Ninja H2 Preview appeared first on Motorcycle.com.



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